"CREDIT has to go to the Boarshaw Youth Inclusion Project for the drop in youth nuisance and crime, because we're not policing the area any differently."

The words of Middleton Police Inspector Gary Leversedge came after figures were released showing reports of juvenile incidents have plummeted by around half in the YIP's catchment area since its conception.

Between April and June youth nuisance calls have fallen by 41 per cent, with criminal damage down by 60 per cent. Areas not covered by the project have not reflected the reduction in trouble.

Inspector Leversedge, who sits on the YIP's management committee, said that the figures presented tangible evidence the programme was working productively - resulting in less calls to the station about drinking, stone-throwing, drug taking and other problems caused by youths.

Extending his congratulations to the team, Inspector Leversedge said: "Two of our officers are also involved in the practitioner meetings, where the main thrust of the project is decided. But it's not just the target group that is engaged, it's their friends and followers too."

Helping to make the streets of Boarshaw a more pleasant place to be, are young youth workers such as Junior Obeng, 25, who has recently overcome stiff competition to qualify for a council course to train for the job.

Junior will join fellow youth worker Jody Spence, aged 23, in engaging young children in the area. They will be working under the eye of Mike Wellington, who has more than a decade of experience in such projects from London to closer to home.

Nicky Brand, who heads the YIP, said: "It's vital that we have great workers like Junior on board. A lot of our what we do involves detached work on the streets - engaging the young people we come across. Relating to the kids is what it's all about and there has to be a certain degree of mutual respect. People like Junior and Jody have grown up around the area and know the score."

Workers will use the informal chats to discuss issues with the young people ranging from the legal consequences of criminal damage, to under age sex and drugs. They will also attain a grasp of what stimulates the minds of those in the groups, and do their best to arrange activities that match the requirements.

These can vary from go-karting to graffiti art - even days out, but Nicky is keen to point out that this is not a case of "treats for bad boys".

She said: "We have, for example, an outward bound trip at the end of the summer session. We'll have encountered up to 200 young people by the end of that time, and there are only 25 places - for those that deserve them. It's a real incentive to get involved and follow through with progress achieved in the group, and places won't be awarded lightly."

The Boarshaw YIP is currently looking at options for a long-term venue, to enable its work to continue through the involvement of local people once the initial operation winds up. They also have big plans for a music festival at Jubilee Park later in the summer.

The reason for the undisputed success? Other than strong working partnerships with organisations such as Youth Services and Connexions, Nicky claims there is no secret, just the tapping of potential. "There have been no magic wands waved here, just the engagement of young people perceived as hoodlums. They always had it in them to harness their energies and we are all very glad to be helping them do that constructively," she said.